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San Jose Mercury

Bears assistant hopes 49ers will call him back

February 08, 2003

BLACHE 3RD FINALIST IN COACHING SEARCH
By Dennis Georgatos
Mercury News
Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Greg Blache's phone has been ringing off the hook since he became a candidate for the 49ers' head-coaching job.
Most of the calls have been from colleagues and friends around the NFL telling Blache that General Manager Terry Donahue or someone else from the 49ers' organization phoned to ask questions about him.
``I was like, `Holy Cow, these guys are worse than the FBI or CIA,' '' Blache said Friday with a laugh. ``They're digging deep. I gave them my mom's number, but nobody called her. I was trying to get somebody who would say something even better. But, honestly, I feel good because at least you know they checked it out.''
Blache, 53, said he welcomed the scrutiny because he believes Donahue's findings helped him become a top candidate for the job, along with 49ers defensive coordinator Jim Mora and New York Jets defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell.
``That's the one reason I think I'm here, because he called people in the business I've worked with and they had positive things to say about me and my ability to handle the situation,'' Blache said after a second round of interviews with Donahue and team director John York.
Like Mora and Cottrell, Blache is a longtime NFL assistant seeking his first head-coaching job. He broke into the league in 1988 as the Green Bay Packers' defensive-line coach. He has been with Chicago for four years, including a 2001 season during which his defense allowed a league-low 12.7 points per game. In 2002, the Bears struggled through an injury-wracked 4-12 year.
York and Donahue have gotten to know Blache only in recent days, but Blache said he doesn't believe that will be a factor when they decide who will succeed the fired Steve Mariucci.
``If you hire your friends, you've got a fraternity. You have to hire the best guy you can,'' Blache said.
The 49ers have not indicated a timetable, but a decision could come by next week. Another candidate, probably a college head coach, could be introduced into the mix.
• Team consultant Bill Walsh has been a front-office fixture in the nearly two years since resigning as general manager, but he is planning to scale down his workload in the last year of his contract with the team.
``At this stage of life, you just start phasing yourself out,'' said Walsh, 71. ``But heck, I'll be around and I'll be busy.''
Walsh said he has been doing work for the NFL and is heavily involved in a book project. He said he will maintain his office at the 49ers' team facility and come in two or three times a week. He said the reduction in his schedule was his choice and not the result of any front-office tension.
As for his role in the search for a coach, Walsh said it has been minimal and that's fine with him.
``If there are questions asked of me, I give Terry Donahue my opinion,'' Walsh said. ``But I'm not lobbying for anybody. That's not my job. Really, I haven't had a lot to do with it other than I've met the finalists just to tell them of my role here. That's so they don't feel I'll be looking over their shoulder but that I can be here if they need me.''
Walsh said his consulting contract with the 49ers expires in March 2004.

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BLACHE 3RD FINALIST IN COACHING SEARCH

By Dennis Georgatos
Mercury News

Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Greg Blache's phone has been ringing off the hook since he became a candidate for the 49ers' head-coaching job.

Most of the calls have been from colleagues and friends around the NFL telling Blache that General Manager Terry Donahue or someone else from the 49ers' organization phoned to ask questions about him.

``I was like, `Holy Cow, these guys are worse than the FBI or CIA,' '' Blache said Friday with a laugh. ``They're digging deep. I gave them my mom's number, but nobody called her. I was trying to get somebody who would say something even better. But, honestly, I feel good because at least you know they checked it out.''

Blache, 53, said he welcomed the scrutiny because he believes Donahue's findings helped him become a top candidate for the job, along with 49ers defensive coordinator Jim Mora and New York Jets defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell.

``That's the one reason I think I'm here, because he called people in the business I've worked with and they had positive things to say about me and my ability to handle the situation,'' Blache said after a second round of interviews with Donahue and team director John York.

Like Mora and Cottrell, Blache is a longtime NFL assistant seeking his first head-coaching job. He broke into the league in 1988 as the Green Bay Packers' defensive-line coach. He has been with Chicago for four years, including a 2001 season during which his defense allowed a league-low 12.7 points per game. In 2002, the Bears struggled through an injury-wracked 4-12 year.

York and Donahue have gotten to know Blache only in recent days, but Blache said he doesn't believe that will be a factor when they decide who will succeed the fired Steve Mariucci.

``If you hire your friends, you've got a fraternity. You have to hire the best guy you can,'' Blache said.

The 49ers have not indicated a timetable, but a decision could come by next week. Another candidate, probably a college head coach, could be introduced into the mix.

• Team consultant Bill Walsh has been a front-office fixture in the nearly two years since resigning as general manager, but he is planning to scale down his workload in the last year of his contract with the team.

``At this stage of life, you just start phasing yourself out,'' said Walsh, 71. ``But heck, I'll be around and I'll be busy.''

Walsh said he has been doing work for the NFL and is heavily involved in a book project. He said he will maintain his office at the 49ers' team facility and come in two or three times a week. He said the reduction in his schedule was his choice and not the result of any front-office tension.

As for his role in the search for a coach, Walsh said it has been minimal and that's fine with him.

``If there are questions asked of me, I give Terry Donahue my opinion,'' Walsh said. ``But I'm not lobbying for anybody. That's not my job. Really, I haven't had a lot to do with it other than I've met the finalists just to tell them of my role here. That's so they don't feel I'll be looking over their shoulder but that I can be here if they need me.''

Walsh said his consulting contract with the 49ers expires in March 2004.

Tell us what you think on the new 49ers Clubhouse message board.